The writings of George Washington; being his correspondence, addresses, messages, and other papers, official and private, selected and published from the original manuscripts; with a life of the author, notes and illustrations. By Jared Sparks.

PART II.] THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 315
In this state of uncertainty, which may also be accompanied by unexpected embarrassments occasioned
by the late events in the West Indies, I find myself at
a loss to determine upon any thing, and could wish our
interview to take place even under these circumstances,
that we might, by a free intercourse of sentiments upon
certain hypotheses, mature matters in such a manner,
as to facilitate any operations to which our force shall
be adjudged competent (having regard to the season),
when the plans of your court are announced to us. If
you approve of such a meeting before you receive your
despatches, you have only to inform me of it, and I
shall attend to your time at Philadelphia, or any other
place, at the shortest notice.
I am at this moment on the point of setting out for
Albany, on a visit to my posts in the vicinity of that
place. My stay will not exceed eight or ten days, and
will be shortened if any despatches should be received
from you in the mean time.
I have the honor to be, &c.
TO BARON STEUBEN.
Head-Quarters, 9 July, 1782.
SIR,
In answer to your letter of yesterday's date, containing the following queries,
"Is the department of inspector-general necessary
in the army, or is it not? Has this department been
conducted during the course of five years agreeably
to your wishes; and have the consequences resulting
from my exertions as chief of the department answered
your expectation? "
I give it as my clear opinion, that it has been of the